The Gemstones and Metals You Should Avoid for Your Engagement Ring

Creating the perfect engagement ring is an exciting journey, and our Bespoke and Custom packages allow you to create the ring you’ve always dreamed of. However, it’s important to know that as a company, there are some materials and gemstones that we don’t work with. We believe in crafting jewellery that lasts a lifetime, and some gemstones and metals just aren’t cut out for your ‘happily ever after’! Let’s take a look at what we don’t work with and why. And remember, we’re always here to help you find the perfect alternative so you still end up with the ring you've always dreamed of.

While there is a world of gemstones to choose from, with a kaleidoscope of colours and unique appearances, some just aren’t quite tough enough for everyday wear. And while these stones might be perfect for jewellery worn only on your most special occasions, engagement rings are designed to accompany you through all of life’s wonderful moments, both big and small, so choosing a gemstone that can withstand everyday wear is essential.

Opals are a beautiful gemstone - their iridescent glow and one-of-a-kind rainbow flecks mean they’re a highly sought after gemstone. While their appearance is nothing short of magical, their otherworldly iridescence is caused by their high water content which means they’re too soft for everyday wear. We use a measuring scale called 'the Mohs scale of mineral hardness' which measures a mineral's (or gemstone's) hardness based on its ability to resist scratching and damage, ranking from 1 (softest, like talc) to 10 (hardest, like diamond). Opals score at just 5.5 - 6.5 on this scale, so while they might look beautiful, they aren’t nearly as hard as they need to be to withstand the wear and tear they will go through when worn everyday. 

If you’re searching for all the mystical sparkle of an opal with a bit of added toughness, we would suggest you opt for an alternative gemstone with a milky or multi-coloured hue. For example, opalescent sapphires are a great alternative to an opal engagement ring as their semi-translucent appearance gives a similar visual effect to opals, yet they’re one of the strongest gemstones, measuring at 9 on the Mohs scale. If you’re searching for a suitable white coloured gemstone which has a similar rainbow sparkle to opals, moissanites are a fabulous alternative! Their clear shine is interspersed with a multicoloured glow, just like an opal. Some other good opinions are cat eye alexandrites which features magical colour changing abilities whilst also showcasing a phenomenon called chatoyancy (inclusions within the stone which reflect light in a concentrated band), pastel sapphires and cloudy tourmalines.

One of the most classic gemstones in the world, pearls make the perfect addition to (nearly) all jewellery pieces, with the exception of engagement and wedding rings! Their simple and refined appearance gives a classic and timeless look to any piece of jewellery, making them ideal for a necklace or a pair of earrings you might wear every now and then. Pearls, however, are not a suitable gemstone choice for engagement rings due to their extreme softness, landing at only 2.5 - 4.5 on the Mohs scale. Their softness means they easily chip, scratch and break all together, so it's best to steer clear of these gemstones when you’re on your engagement ring buying journey. Pearls are an organic gemstone, similar to coral and amber, and are made during a biological process as opposed to inorganic gemstones (sapphires, diamonds etc.) which are formed within the earth. 

If you love the timelessness of pearls and are searching for a more sturdy alternative then we’ve got you covered! Our first suggestion is a milky white diamond as they have the same opaque appearance as a pearl but beat all other gemstones in terms of hardness, scoring a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale. Another diamond option is opting for a salt and pepper diamond engagement ring, which are chemically the same as all other diamonds, just with a little added seasoning! Their salt and pepper effect, also known as inclusions, give a unique appearance and come in cloudy varieties, so they could be a perfect pearl alternative. Sapphires are also a great choice for engagement rings as they score 9 on the Mohs scale and they also form in pearlescent milky colours and the unique ‘star sapphire’ (a variety that holds an asterism, a star-like pattern at the stones surface) even comes in opaque white hues.